Electronic poker game

ABSTRACT

An electronically implemented method of video poker whereby a plurality of playing cards are displayed in a predetermined pattern. Card patterns include a pyramid, hour glass, bow tie, etc. Each pattern includes multiple pay lines along which a player may be eligible for a distinct pay out. After an initial wager and deal, players have one opportunity to hold and discards any number of cards. Players are paid, according to a pre-established pay table, for winning combinations along each active pay line. The number of active pay lines is dependent upon the wager made by the player. The present invention provides players with unique decision-making possibilities not available with conventional video poker games. A player is further eligible for a bonus pay out if each final card in the pattern is the same color of either red or black.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an electronically implemented video poker game. More particularly, a video poker game that includes various card patterns and multiple pay lines thereby providing a player with a more exciting and challenging wagering game.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Gaming machines are increasingly responsible for the bulk of revenues generated by casinos and other gaming establishments. Over time, electronic gaming machines, including slot machines, video poker machines, keno machines, etc., have systematically replaced table games as the most popular form of gambling located in casinos. As a result, casino operators have a continuous desire for new games which can be implemented in the electronic medium.

[0003] There has been no shortage of new game concepts to proliferate the casinos and, for that matter, the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Unfortunately, many of the new game concepts are unappealing for one or more reasons. In order to have a chance of success, electronic wagering games must be quick and easy to play. The more times a game is played over a given amount of time to more revenue the casino stands to gain. Therefore, games that are complicated and require too much decision making by a player are not appealing to casinos or players. Moreover, games involving known themes, such as poker, are attractive to both players and casinos.

[0004] Many variations of video poker are disclosed in the patent literature. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,723,950, 5,816,916 and 5,823,873 all to Moody disclose video poker games which allow simultaneous play of multiple poker hands based on identically held cards. In other words, the player can hold the best cards in a first hand and the identical cards will be transposed to multiple hands whereby the player can draw into the selected best cards in multiple hands. The Moody patents provide players with more opportunities to win prizes and thus have been very successful in practice.

[0005] However, traditional video poker can become repetitive and is typically played using a basic strategy that rarely fluctuates. Therefore, the need continues for games providing players with unique decision-making skills, but not an overabundance, such that the time between game plays is insignificant. Additionally, as will be discussed, the present invention provides players with an opportunity to tailor the game to fit their own likes and dislikes.

[0006] Conventional video draw poker is played generally in the following manner:

[0007] a. A player places a wager at a gaming machine;

[0008] b. Based on the wager, five cards from a standard 52 card deck randomly appear on a display face up in a single row;

[0009] c. The player then selects which cards to hold and discard;

[0010] d. The discards are replaced with new cards from the deck; and

[0011] e. The player is then paid, according to a pay table, for any pre-established winning combinations that have occurred.

[0012] The novel feature of the present invention is that the cards are dealt into patterns distinct from the single row as with conventional video poker. For example, cards may be dealt into a pyramid pattern with five cards at a base, four cards at a second level, three cards at a third level, two cards at a fourth level and one card at the apex. Based on the pyramid described, 15 cards from a single standard 52 card deck are initially utilized. Rather than the single row of winning combinations achievable with conventional video poker, the player is afforded the opportunity to play up to 12 or more different pay lines. In other words, the five cards which ultimately appear along the base may correspond to one pay out, while the four cards which appear along the second level may correspond to a different pay out, while the five cards which appear along each face of the pyramid may further correspond to another pay out. Preferably, the pyramid pattern has 12 pay lines, but conceivably additional pay lines could be crafted.

[0013] The actual play of the present invention, regardless of the ultimate pattern, allows a player to hold and discard any number of cards at least one time. The game will include multiple pay tables dependent on the number of cards appearing along each unique pay line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine player with increased pay out opportunities.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine player with a more exciting form of electronic gaming.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine player with more decision-making opportunities in contrast to conventional video poker.

[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a more rewarding gaming machine experience.

[0018] Accordingly, the present invention is an electronically implemented video poker game having multiple pay lines. Cards from a standard 52 card deck are dealt in patterns, such as a pyramid, hour glass or bow tie, to provide players with multiple winning opportunities. In a preferred embodiment, a wager is placed, the pattern is filled with face up cards and the player selects which cards to hold and discard. The discards are then replaced with cards from the standard deck. Thereafter, if eligible, the player is paid for all winning combinations along the multiple pay lines. In this fashion, players are provided with a new and more exciting form of video poker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 shows a conventional gaming machine for implementing the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 shows a conventional video poker card arrangement;

[0021]FIG. 3 shows a pyramid pattern of the present invention after an initial deal;

[0022]FIG. 4 shows an hour glass pattern of the present invention after an initial deal; and

[0023]FIG. 5 shows a bow tie pattern of the present invention after an initial deal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The present invention is implemented on a conventional video poker gaming machine. Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates the front of a conventional video poker machine, including a screen display 1, draw/deal button 5, hold/discard buttons 10, card reader 15, coin slot 20, bet maximum coins button 25 and bet one coin button 30. Although not evident from the drawing, the display 1 may include a touchscreen that can be used to play the game of the present invention. For example, a player may use either buttons 10 or the touchscreen to select which cards to hold and discard. While not shown, it is also known in the art that nearly all functions of electronic gaming machines are controlled internally by a microprocessor and random number generator in communication with various other known gaming machine components.

[0025] As described generally above, conventional video draw poker begins when a player first places a wager and is randomly dealt on a display a single row of five face up cards from a standard 52 card deck. FIG. 2 shows the card arrangement of conventional video poker along with a single pay line 35. A player is typically given one opportunity to select which dealt cards to hold and discard. Thereafter, the discards are replaced by new cards from the standard deck. A pre-established pay table (not shown) indexes pay outs for various winning combinations normally from a pair of jacks or better to a royal flush. The pay table further includes pay outs corresponding to the number of coins initially wagered by a player. Therefore, as would be expected, the more coins wagered, the higher the pay out. Moreover, playing maximum coins typically permits the player to participate in higher than normal pay outs and various jackpots, including progressive jackpots.

[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 3, fifteen cards are dealt in a pyramid pattern generally denoted by reference numeral 40. In a preferred embodiment of the pyramid pattern, 12 pay lines 45-1 through 45-12 provide a player with the opportunity to obtain multiple winning combinations. Four pay tables correspond to, and set forth the winning combinations, for each of the 12 pay lines. The four pay tables are dependent on the number of cards along the specific pay line in question. Therefore, a first pay table corresponds to all pay lines having five cards (45-1,45-5 and 45-9), a second pay table corresponds to all pay lines having four cards (45-2, 45-6, 45-10), a third pay table corresponds to all pay lines having three cards (45-3, 45-7 and 45-11) and a fourth pay table corresponds to all pay lines having two cards (45-4, 45-8 and 45-12). The winning combinations and exact pay outs are generally determined by gaming machine manufacturers and/or casinos. However, winning combinations along two-card pay lines are preferably limited to a pair of a particular rank (e.g. jacks or better), three-card pay lines are preferably limited to a pair of a particular rank and three of a kind, and four-card pay lines are preferably limited to a pair of a particular rank, two pair, three of a kind and four of a kind. Preferably, five-card pay lines include pay outs for a pair of a particular rank through a royal flush. Nonetheless, it should be understood that as long as the winning combinations and pay outs afford the casino a winning advantage, they are not critical to the present invention.

[0027] As with conventional video poker, the present invention seeks to encourage players to play the maximum number of coins. Therefore, by way of example, the game having the pyramid pattern 40, may provide a player with the option to play a maximum of 5 coins per pay line to be eligible for maximum pay outs and jackpots along all 12 pay lines (e.g. 60 coins). In the alternative, the casino may require 50 coins for a player to be eligible for all 12 pay lines (i.e. pay for ten get twelve). On the other hand, players may always play less than the maximum number of coins. A player wagering only 4 coins may only be eligible for winning combinations generated along 4 pay lines such as 45-1 through 45-4 and may not be eligible for maximum pay outs and jackpots. The particulars of the maximum number of coins, pay tables and jackpots are generally left to the discretion of the casino management and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 3, pay lines 45-1, 45-2, 45-7 and 45-8 include preferred winning combinations, namely a straight, two pair, three of a kind and a pair respectively. Preferably, the player now has one opportunity to hold and discard the originally dealt cards. Assuming the player discards all cards other than those along pay lines 45-1, 45-2, 45-7 and 45-8, cards 50-1, 50-2, 50-3 and 50-4 will be replaced from the standard 52 card deck. Once the replacement cards are revealed, all winning combinations are determined by the gaming machine's microprocessor and the player is paid accordingly.

[0029] Now referring to FIG. 4, eleven cards are dealt in an hour glass pattern generally denoted by reference numeral 60. Preferably, the hour glass pattern 60 includes six pay lines 65-1 through 65-6. The game is played in the identical fashion as described with respect to the pyramid pattern 40 except that the pay lines 65-1 through 65-6 are varied from the pyramid pattern 40. The hour glass pay lines 65-1 through 65-6 are each five-card pay lines. Therefore, a single pay table can be used to index the pay outs for pre-established winning combinations and number of coins wagered. Of course, other pay lines having less than five cards may be defined such that other pay outs will be necessary. FIG. 5 illustrates a bow tie pattern generally denoted by reference numeral 70. Preferably, the bow tie pattern 70 includes six pay lines 70-1 through 70-6 nearly identical to pay lines 65-1 through 65-6.

[0030] The present invention also includes a bonus feature whereby a player is eligible for a bonus award should each card of the pattern have the same color. Therefore, if the game is played with standard playing cards, a player is eligible for a bonus award should all cards be either red or black. The award can be based on the cards initially revealed or the cards subsequent to the draw. The amount of the bonus award is dependent upon game operators and will likely be dependent on the number of cards in the pattern. In other words, patterns having more cards should be subject to a larger bonus award.

[0031] While the present invention has been described as utilizing standard playing cards, other indicia or symbols could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, obvious variations in the described patterns are contemplated by this disclosure.

[0032] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. An electronic video poker gaming machine comprising: display means for displaying a pyramid pattern of concealed playing cards, a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards, means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play, means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards, means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.
 2. The video poker gaming machine of claim 1 wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.
 3. The video gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said pyramid is formed of fifteen total cards including a five card base, a four card second level, a three card third level, a two card fourth level and a single card apex.
 4. The video poker gaming machine of claim 1 wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the pyramid is of the same color.
 5. An electronic video poker gaming machine comprising: display means for displaying an hour glass pattern of concealed playing cards, a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards, means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play, means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards, means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.
 6. The video poker gaming machine of claim 4 wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.
 7. The video gaming machine of claim 4 wherein said hour glass is formed of eleven total cards including an upper and lower row of three cards each, two intermediate rows of two cards, each intermediate row between said upper and lower rows and a single card between the intermediate rows.
 8. The video poker gaming machine of claim 4 wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the hourglass is of the same color.
 9. An electronic video poker gaming machine comprising: display means for displaying a bow tie pattern of concealed playing cards, a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards, means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play, means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards, means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.
 10. The video poker gaming machine of claim 9 wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.
 11. The video gaming machine of claim 9 wherein said bow tie is formed of eleven total cards including a left-most column and a right-most column of three cards each, two intermediate columns of two cards, each intermediate column between the left-most and right-most columns and a single card between the intermediate columns.
 12. The video poker gaming machine of claim 9 wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the bow tie is of the same color.
 13. A electronically implemented method of playing video poker comprising: displaying a pyramid pattern of concealed playing cards; providing a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards; providing means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play; providing means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards; providing means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.
 14. The method of playing video poker of claim 13 wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.
 15. The method of playing video poker of claim 13 wherein said pyramid is formed of fifteen total cards including a five card base, a four card second level, a three card third level, a two card fourth level and a single card apex.
 16. The method of playing video poker of claim 13 wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the pyramid is of the same color.
 17. A electronically implemented method of playing video poker comprising: displaying an hour glass pattern of concealed playing cards; providing a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards; providing means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play; providing means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards; providing means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.
 18. The method of playing video poker of claim 17 wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.
 19. The method of playing video poker of claim 17 wherein said hour glass is formed of eleven total cards including an upper and lower row of three cards each, two intermediate rows of two cards, each intermediate row between said upper and lower rows and a single card between the intermediate rows.
 20. The method of playing video poker of claim 17 wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the hour glass is of the same color.
 21. A electronically implemented method of playing video poker comprising: displaying a bow tie pattern of concealed playing cards; providing a plurality of pay lines, each said pay line corresponding to a unique combination of said playing cards; providing means for a player to select one or more of the pay lines prior to game play; providing means for said player to activate said gaming machine to cause said machine to reveal said concealed playing cards; providing means for said player to hold or discard each revealed playing card, said discarded playing cards being replaced by a new playing card and means for paying said player a predetermined award based on predesignated winning combinations corresponding to each pay line played.
 22. The method of playing video poker of claim 21 wherein a game is played with a single traditional 52 card deck of playing cards.
 23. The method of playing video poker of claim 21 wherein said bow tie is formed of eleven total cards including a left-most column and a right-most column of three cards each, two intermediate columns of two cards, each intermediate column between the left-most and right-most columns and a single card between the intermediate columns.
 24. The method of playing video poker of claim 21 wherein a second predetermined award is paid if each playing card forming the bow tie is of the same color. 